Australia's unemployment rate remained steady at 5.2 per cent in March 2012 (Media Release)

MEDIA RELEASE

12 April 2012

Embargo: 11.30 am (Canberra time)

51/2012

Australia's unemployment rate remained steady at 5.2 per cent in March 2012

Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was steady at 5.2 per cent in March, as announced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today.

The ABS reported the number of people employed increased by 44,000 to 11,491,200 in March. The increase in employment was driven by increased full-time employment, up 15,800 people to 8,080,400, and part-time employment, up 28,200 people to 3,410,900. The increase in employment was driven by an increase in both male and female full-time and part-time employment.

The number of people unemployed decreased by 3,200 people to 629,100 in March, the ABS reported.

The ABS monthly aggregate hours worked series showed an increase in March, up 9.5 million hours to 1,624.2 million hours.

The ABS reported an increase in the labour force participation rate of 0.2 percentage points in March to 65.4 per cent.

The results of the Annual Seasonal Reanalysis were released in the March 2012 publication. This annual review did not result in any significant changes to published estimates. A feature article in the publication - 'Annual Seasonal Reanalysis' - explains the review.

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